In summary, our research team was successful at completing almost all of the academic objectives of the two projects funded by the MEG. When the manuscripts have been accepted for publication, we will have fully completed the academic objectives.

Evaluation of the Mentoring Environment

The undergraduate and graduate students conducted the literature review. They helped code and group the research studies into meaningful categories and they created a major table/appendix that summarizes all of the studies included in the review article. They also helped write the literature review manuscript. They also helped present findings from the literature review at the American Psychological Association conventions in August 2016 and 2017 and at the annual convention of the Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists in October 2016. 2 Several undergraduate students used portions of our two projects for their senior projects in the psychology department. I mentored the students in the research process, including training them in conducting the literature review, analysis of treatment outcome and process data, writing the manuscripts, and preparing and making their professional presentations and posters. The students met with me, Kawika Allen (Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology), and Daniel Judd (Professor of Ancient Scripture) in a research team meeting for one to two hours each week. I provided individual supervision and consultation to the students on a bi-weekly basis. Due to the nature of our topics (i.e., spiritually oriented treatment approaches), students will were given numerous opportunities to relate the secular theories and philosophies they are learning in their psychology departments and graduate programs with religious and spiritual perspectives, particularly with LDS spiritual perspectives. Our mentoring environment involved frequent faith affirming discussions and experiences. The research training the students received, the professional presentations they made, and the publications they helped author enhanced their resumes and strengthened their qualifications for their applications to quality graduate programs in the mental health professions. I have written recommendation letters for six undergraduate members of my research team in support of their graduate school applications the past two years. Three members of my research team were accepted into masters and doctoral programs the past two years and I anticipate that four more will begin graduate study next year.

Description of the Results/Findings of the Projects

Project One: Literature Review Abstract

Increased attention in clinical and academic settings has become focused on demonstrating the healing potential of spiritually integrated therapy (SIT). Despite previous reviews and meta-analyses in this area, the broad and current state of this literature is not well-known. The current article reviewed extant research on SIT, and sought to answer several outstanding questions about the current state of the literature on this topic: (a) What types of spiritual interventions are used in clinical practice, and how often are they used? (b) What are the 3 attitudes of healthcare professionals and clients/patients toward SIT? (c) With what clinical issues, problems, and clients are SITs most effective and why are they effective? The literature revealed that healthcare practitioners in a variety of fields use SIT approaches quite often. Practitioners and clients generally view SIT as appropriate and useful approach, which attitude tends to increase with increased personal religiousness/spirituality. Finally, many SIT approaches, originating in various religious/spiritual traditions and integrated in many traditional therapeutic orientations, have been used effectively across a broad range of client populations and clinical issues. Future research directions are outlined to promote further research in this area and increased acceptance of R/S approaches into the healthcare mainstream.

Project Two: Studies of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapies

The results suggested that there may not be a clear-cut method for integrating religion and spirituality into psychotherapy. The studies shed some light on what kinds of interventions constitute an SOP for a certain group of Mormon therapists, but there was considerable variation between them in terms of idiosyncratic application of SOPs. The results do support the idea that what an SOP looks like in practice (e.g., what types of SIs are utilized) may depend largely on the needs of the client and whether and to what degree an SOP is clinically indicated (Miller, 1999).

I can provide copies of the literature review manuscript and conference presentation posters/powerpoint slides if needed, but I was unable to upload them as supporting documents using the online reporting portal.

Description of How the Budget was Spent

The budget was spent on salaries for the students and to pay for some of their travel expenses to attend the APA and AMCAP conventions.

Salaries: $17,000 (approximately)
Travel: $3000 (approximately)

These estimates are based on my most recent BYU Financial Accounting Report (December 5, 2017). If exact figures are needed, I can provide them, but will need to review the reports with the McKay School financial controller to make sure the numbers are accurate.